A "Grand" Party

The Masonic Temple in Ames, Iowa was the scene of a "grand" party today. John Harris Watts, Grand Secretary/Recorder of the Grand Chapter and Council and Past General Grand Master of the General Grand Council let it slip that he would turn 80 in November when I was over visiting him October 12. I e-mailed the Grand Lodge to get the exact date and was told it was November 27. So I talked to the Grand High Priest and the Grand Master of the Grand Council and they were in agreement with me that we should have a surprise birthday party for Jack.
Invitations were sent out via e-mail and the US Postal service and today at about 1:15 Masons from the four corners of the state began to gather. The Grand High Priest told Jack that he was holding an Executive Committee meeting and he wanted him to attend. Jack tried every excuse he could think of to get out of it (If he had known about it he would not have come) but Most Excellent Rick was persistent, even driving to Grand Junction to pick Jack up and bring him to Ames. Jack was surpirsed as you can see from the picture below as he arrived.

We had a special cake (see above) and decorations (although some of them were borrowed from Donna's party held yesterday) (See how clever I was holding Jack's party when the temple was already festive and decorated). Jack was presented with a new hat commemorating his 50 years as a KYCH. (Pictures here) by Companion and Sir Knight Kevin Christians.

Jack called Barb Bryngleson up to share a moment with him as her birthday is also November 27 although he mentioned that it was a different year than his was.

Again another of my incredible camera's prowess showing the almost 100 Masons and ladies who came to honor Jack.

Grand Master of Mason's in Iowa and his lady also attended.

Click here to go to the online photo album with all the pictures I took today.





It was one of the neatest events I have ever attended. I have never seen Jack so touched as he was. There were tears in his eyes and his voice shook. His friends let him know just how much he means to them. That is what Masonry is all about.